I received word today of a really great sounding seminar taking place next week. The public is invited and I plan on going. The topic is The Economic Impact of Creative Industries and is called “Full S.T.E. (A)M. Ahead!” An acronym that stands for Science, Technolgy, Engineering (ARTs) and Math. The subject topic will be “How Creativity Can Impact Education, Our Work Force, Community and Business Development.”

The person slated to be the keynote speaker is Randy Cohen, Vice President of Americans For The Arts. Americans for the Arts serves, advances, and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America. Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. The mission of Americans for the Arts is stated: “to serve, advance, and lead the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain, and support the arts in America. Connecting your best ideas and leaders from the arts, communities, and business, together we can work to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.”

The seminar takes place Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at Bush Chapel at Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Boulevard in Lakeland. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. and the program runs from 9-11:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend.

Opening remarks will be presented by Polk County Commission Chairman, Todd Dantzler. Special guests attending will be Kerri L. Post, FLorida Deputy Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs and Historical Resources.

About This Blog

I was thrilled to be asked by The Ledger to become its first theatre blogger. Already writing preview articles about Polk County’s community theatres and feature articles for Inside Polk Magazine, I thought blogging would be fun and fulfill a need for the community.

I have long been on a soap box about the abundance of available local entertainment. When someone complains that there is not much to do culturally in Polk County, I am not shy about telling them that they just aren’t looking. So I am thrilled to be able to let the local community know, via my blog, about all the wonderful and varied theatrical venues and performances that are available in Polk County, sometimes in very surprising places.